Encouraging climate-friendly food and transport choices in China

Globally, 2016 was the hottest year on record. Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change continue to threaten wildlife and humans alike. In China, emissions from fossil fuels are felt not only in the changing climate, but also in the country’s air pollution crisis. The World Health Organization reports that China’s air is the deadliest in the world, and it has been linked to one-third of all deaths in the country.

China is moving increasingly toward a Western-style diet that is heavy in meat and dairy products. As such, related greenhouse gas emissions will continue to increase and cause stress on scarce resources, such as arable land and water. In addition, this shift is causing a health crisis, increasing instances of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and other diet-related illness.

14%
Animal agriculture and transportation each make up approximately 14% of all global greenhouse gas emissions.

-9.5%
Chinese emissions could be reduced by up to 9.5% by 2030 if consumers adhered to the Chinese Nutrition Society recommended levels of meat consumption.

3X
Beijing, one of many Chinese hoping to increase the amount of people using low-carbon transportation, aims to triple the number of bicycle trips to reach 22% of total trips by 2020.

Making an impact

WildAid’s GOBlue campaign works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution by encouraging low-carbon transportation options in urban China, including bicycling, carpooling, new energy vehicles and public transit options. In parallel, our Shu Shi program supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by promoting lower meat consumption as aligned with the guidelines of the Chinese Nutrition Society.

We have partnered with Trek bicycles, bike sharing service Blue Gogo, Soho shopping centers, and Wanda Cinemas on several biking events across China. The events drew thousands of cyclists to promote low-carbon transportation.

Our billboard campaign to promote healthy eating with the Chinese Nutrition Society has reached 500 million people across the country. Additionally, we have partnered with popular restaurants, shopping centers and Tianjin Airlines to offer vegetarian meals directly to consumers.